Originally Posted by wrk101

If the post moves side to side, it will come out. Forget the PB Blaster, get some Kroil, its A LOT better at the job. Do you have a secure bench vise? As mentioned in my PM, be careful, as you can put more force trying to free up a seat post than your frame can withstand. You then go from a small problem to a huge problem.

On seat posts, I focus on getting them to rotate 360 degrees minimum, if not more, first, before working on getting them to come out.

I did have one stem that was stuck at a spot as I tried to pull it out. It would rotate relatively freely (not great, but I could turn it 360 degrees or more). But it would not come out. Another forum member convinced me to drive it down further into the seat tube (dangerous approach, as in my case, the post was already pretty far into the frame). Sure enough, something broke loose, and the seat post came out, no problem.

All of this was done with the seat post secured in my large bench vise. Forget the pipe wrench and having someone else hold the bike. You really need to control the frame carefully as you try to rotate it, or you run a much higher risk IMHO of damaging the frame.

On stuck stems, I am much more likely to cut them out., there's less to hold onto as tar as securing it in place. I do have a method, but it is too much typing and I can't explain it clearly enough in this format.

Without a secure bench and vise, I do not see any of my advice working.

As far as the wisdom of the list, there are a couple of THOUSAND threads on stuck posts and stems (Search via google). Just use your judgment, as a lot of listers have had one or two experiences, so their sure fire method may not work on the next one. I have done several dozen, everything works on some posts and stems. At one point, I was 12 for 12. I thought I was an expert. So I let my guard down, and bought stuck post bike #13 . After working on it for a couple of weeks, I was 12 for 13….. No single method works on every stuck post or stem, short of cutting them out.

And cutting them out beats the heck out of damaging your fork or frame by putting too much force on it. Bike frames were not designed for it.

Even if you go the cutting them out route, you really need a good bench and vise, as it is important to hold the fork or frame very steady while you are cutting. I have a steering tube vise I use for securing forks.

Originally Posted by rccardr

You people are a bad influence. In a good way.

I did wind up buying that lavender, white and chrome Tommasini in Max tubing from the guy in Ventura. Pretty much spotless, 8 speed DA, new tires and saddle and recent rims.

I'll post pictures when it arrives.

Originally Posted by Muttleyone

How in the world did I miss the Tommasini Lounge? See what happens when you're away from C/V on Bike Forums for a little while, dang! First off let me say everyone's Tommasini's look awesome! There is nothing like seeing these bikes in all their Italian goodness!
My Tommasini is a Velocista made with Columbus MAX tubing. I found out about Velocistas while looking for MAX tubed bikes. I was thinking I would get an Merckx MXL but I never found "the" bike. I started looking for other MAX tubed bikes and ran across the Velocista. I knew that Tommasinis were great bikes and I thought one with MAX tubing would be that cat's ass for someone 6'3" and on the 200+ LBS size. One problem with getting a Velocista, they only made 100 of them. So there's a slight kink in my plans in finding one, LOL. But I always did a search on Ebay and Criagslist with the hopes of finding one. On one magical day I was doing my normal searches and up pops a Velocista on the Madison Wi. Craigslist. I thought no way. It has to be one the new carbon Velocistas, so I clicked the link with the pictures and there is was in all it's MAX lugged glory. The final star alined when it was my size also. I emailed the owner and told him I wanted it and could he ship it? He said he didn't want to go to the trouble so I told him I would fly to Madison if he could bring it to the airport. I mean what good is working for the airlines unless you can fly around the country to pick up bikes, LOL. Well after some more back and forth he did eventually ship the bike to me and after several days and a few sleepless night worrying about UPS smashing my baby into twisted ball of tubes, I got her safe and sound.
This is the most incredible bike I have ever ridden. I mean she is smooth just clipping along but the amazing part is when I stomp on the pedals the power (what little I have) goes right to the road, I mean zero flex. And this bike loves to go fast. If you get her screaming down a hill, she tracks as if on rails. Sometimes her need for speed is bad, like if I'm trying to do a recovery ride. she starts whispering, in Italian of course, piu veloce, piu veloce, so much for a recovery ride. Anyway I've been rambling on, but if a can't wane about my Tommasini here, where can I? LOL. I only have a few pictures for today. I'm in the middle of replacing the black cables for white. Just as soon as I have this done I will post some better pictures. Anyway thanks for listening to my story, and now here is my girl.I know non-drive side. It's Campy Chorus 8 spd Erogos<br><br><br>

Originally Posted by rccardr

It's here, and even just peeking into the top of the box (it's in my office and I've been in meertings all day) it looks -as Terry Hatcher would say- SPECTACULAR!

Originally Posted by jet sanchEz

If anyone ever sees a Velocista in this paint, let me know.

Originally Posted by gomango

Bring on the pics!

Originally Posted by squatchy

Can you please tell me more info on that stem please

Originally Posted by rccardr

Couple of older non-drive side shots from the seller, but now has polished stem and new black titanium Flite.
I'll upload better pics once I've got this home and assembled.

Originally Posted by gomango

I'm holding my breath until there are additional pics.

Originally Posted by thirdgenbird

Fantastic! It looks like its in amazing condition. I vote you throw some veloflex masters on it.

edit: that RD looks new.